Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-06-17

Eorehe0d, ms though to shade her eyes from
Che sun. But where she was standing there
was no sum- and John could not help guessing
why she WINS shading her eyes. She was cry
ing at leaving the place in that quiet, harrow
Xng sort of way that some women have; that
IS 10 say, few big tears were rolling down
ber face. John felt n lump rise in his own
throat at the sight, and very naturally re-
ieved his feelings in rough language.
"What the deuce are you after2" he asked
Are you going to keep the horses standing
all dayg"
jess did not resent this. The probability is
shat she guessed its reason. And besides, it
is o melancholy fact that women rather like
being sworn at than otherwise, provided that
Gtto swearer is the man they are attached to-
But he must only swear on state occasions
At this moment, too Mrs. Neville came
plunging out of the house. licking an envelope
aS she ran
"Tbere," she said, az hope I haven't kept
you waiting. | haven't told the old gentle
man half the news; in fact, I've only taken
him down to the time when the communica
lions were cut, and dare say he has seen all
that in the papers But he won't understand
anything about it, and if he does he will guess
She rest; besides, for all know, he may be
dead and buried by now I shall have to owe
you for the stamp l think it's threepence.
III pay you when we meet again-that is, if
we ever do meet again. I'm beginning to
think that this siege will go on for all eter-
nifty. There, good by, my dearl God bless
youl When you get out Of it, mind you write
10 The Times, in London, you know There,
don't cry. | am sure l should not cry if l
were going to get out of this place." for at
this point jess took the opportunity of Mrs.
Neville's fervcnt embrace to burst out into
sob or two
In another minute they were in the cart,
and Mouti was scrambling up behind.
Don't cry, old girl" said john laying his
band upon her shoulder "What can't be
cured must he endured"
Eyes, John" she answered, and dried her
Gears.
at the hcadquarter camp John went in and
explained the circumstances of his departure
At first the officer who was temporarily in
command-the commandment having been
wounded at the same time that John was
rather demurrcd to his going, especially when
he learned that he had passed his word not to
carry dispatches. Presently, however, he
Thought better of it, and said he supposed that
it was all right, as he could not see that their
going could do the garrison any harm;
rather the reverse, in fact because you can
Cell the people how we are getting on in this
God forsalen hole. / only wish that some
sody would give me pass, that's AL" where
lpou John shook hands with him and left,
% find an eager crowd gathered outside.
The news OF their going had got abroad,
and everybody was Ium". & down to hear the
truth of it. Such an event as q departure
out of Pretoria had not happened for a couple
# months 1ul more, and the excitement was
proportion ate to 5 novelty.
a say, Nirl, i, it true you are going,"
hailooel out Il burly farmer
"Iow the deuce did you get pass" put in
another man with face like a weasel He
was what is known rs "Boer vernukeln
literally "Boer cheater'0, that is, a travel
ing trader whose business it Is to beguile the
simple minded Dutchman by selling him
worthless goods at five times their cost. 81
have loads of friends among the Beers.
There is hardly Boer in the Transvaal who
does not know me'-("To his cost" put in a
3ystander, with a grunD-"and yet 1 have
Eried all know"-C'And you know good
deal" said the same rude mani -"and can't
get pass"
"You don't suppose those poor Beers are
going to let you out when once they have got |
you in" went on tho tormentor "Why, |
man, it's against human nature. You've got |
you to have their skin too?"
Whereupcr the weasel faced individual /,
gave howl Of wrath, and pretended to make |
Il rush at the author of these random gibes,
waiting half way for somebody to stop him
and prevent a breach Of the peace.
"Oh, Miss Croft" cried out woman in |
The crowd, who, like jess, had been trapped In
Pretoria while on a flying visit, off you can |
get n line down to my husband at Maritz- |
burg, to tell him that | am well, except for |
Che rheumatism, from sleeping on the wet |
ground; and tell him to kiss the twins for |
sne.H
y say, Mel, tell those Beers that we will |
give them ID good hiding yet, when |
Coley relieves us" sung out a jolly young |
Englishman in the uniform of the Pretoria |
carbineers lie little knew that poor Colley |
kind hearted English gentleman that he
Nas--was sleeping peacefully under six
ieet Of ground with q Boer bullet through his |
.,rain.
Now, Capt. Mel, if you are ready, we
AUST trek" said one of the Beers, in Dutch,
cutting the action to the word by catching
She near wheeler sharp cut with his riding
slambock that made him jump nearly out
of the traces.
Away started the horses with a plunge,
and amid a volley of farewelis they were off
upon their homeward Journey
.Fnr more than an hour nothing particular
happened. John drove on at fair pace and
the two Beers cantered along behind At the
enc OF this time, however, just as they were
approaching the Red House. where Frank
Muller had obtained the pass from the general
On The previous day, one of the Beers rode up
AEoi told them, roughly enough, that they
were TO outSpan at the house, where they
would get some food. AS 1t was past o'clock
they were by no means sorry to hear this, and
accordingly John drew up the cart about
City yards from the place and they proceeded
20 get the horses out, and, having watched
them roll and drink, proceeded to the house.
2'ho two Beers, who had also off-saddled,
wbTe already sitting on the veranda, and
when jess looked inquiringly toward them,
SRe of them pointed with his pipe toward
cs'' little room. Taking the hint they entered,
= a'a found a Hottentot woman just Setting
ba fol